Damon Albarn Performs in Mali Despite State of Emergency

This weekend, Damon Albarn performed in Mali at the Festival Acoustik Bamako, alongside artists including Tony Allen and Songhoy Blues. The performance went ahead despite Mali having been in a state of emergency since last November, when terrorists attacked a hotel in the capital. (Larger, outdoor sets in the south of the country were called off.) In a new interview with the Guardian, Albarn explains his decision to play at the festival.

"It’s the message of coming here and doing this that’s the most important thing,” Albarn told The Guardian, "and being able to keep the agenda on music. The country’s music is an inspiration for me and that’s why I’ve been here so many times."

Mali's minister of culture, crafts and development, N’Diaye Ramatoulaye Diallo, told The Guardian, "We don’t have diamonds in Mali, we don’t have oil, but what we do have is the music. What is the best worldwide language today? It’s music, and we have the best ambassadors for that."